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Best Buy API Aims To Expand Store's Reach Online

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the right-way-to-encourage-business dept.

surely_you_cant_be_serious writes "Best Buy has opened up proprietary product catalog data in its online store through an open API. Through the Remix API, Best Buy can track how many people are using its information, while users can check to see where a certain product is available without visiting Best Buy's site. Web developers and bloggers can also sign up to become an official Best Buy affiliate. If approved, they can get a small percentage of a sale if someone makes a Best Buy purchase through their site."

4 of 99 comments (clear)

  1. Old news? by Chabo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Sounds kinda like what Amazon did several years ago, so you can link to a specific product on Amazon, and get a cut.

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    1. Re:Old news? by Brainiac4 · · Score: 5, Informative

      It is like what Amazon did years ago. We're trying to learn from what others have done. Amazon has built a very successful web site and online business, and their web services are a big part of that. The point of Remix is not just to allow access to the catalog; it's to encourage people to innovate with it. - Kevin Matheny, E-Business Architect, BestBuy.com

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      These are my opinions, not those of Best Buy. Even the really good ones. Twitter: @kevinmatheny
  2. Wii Availability by TheSpoom · · Score: 5, Informative

    Back in early 2007 when the Wii was out of stock absolutely everywhere, I setup a cron job to repeatedly check the product pages of the Wii console on Best Buy and other sites and email me when it said they were in stock. It worked surprisingly well and I got a Wii at retail price within about a week or so (with a well timed email and quick checkout) from Best Buy.

    This is a really good move on Best Buy's part as it will only increase people buying their items.

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  3. Re:I'm torn by Korin43 · · Score: 5, Informative

    My Best Buy is horrible. Every time I want something I go there, walk around, then go home and buy what I want on Newegg because it's twice as expensive at Best Buy. I'm not sure about everything, but here's some examples:

    2 Gb of memory: Best Buy - Cheapest is $39 (note "Regular price: $144), Newegg - Cheapest is $16.
    Not a fair fight you say? How about if we compare to Newegg's Kingston and PNY brands (the only kind my local Best Buy carries): Cheapest Kingston is $18. The only PNY is $20.
    Best Buy's prices aren't even close. If this isn't enough for you, how about how Newegg will sell you 4 Gb of "Corsair Dominator" memory for $15 less than Best Buy will sell you 2 Gb? And don't even get me started on their video cards..